Taggart begins forming staff: Scott retained, Raymond Woodie added

Update 6:14 p.m. Just to clarify, Lary Scott will be the only member of Skip Holtz's full-time coaching staff to be retained; the support staff will remain in place.

Here's a breakdown, and some reaction, of Willie Taggart's first two hires to his staff:

New USF football coach Willie Taggart began forming his staff Thursday by holding onto a familiar face, and bringing along his "right-hand man." Taggart announced the only member of Skip Holtz's full-time staff he will retain is running backs coach Larry Scott, a former Bulls player (1997-99) who has worked at USF since 2005. Taggart also hired Raymond Woodie, one of his top recruiting assistants at Western Kentucky the past three seasons, as a defensive assistant. Keeping Scott, who will be an offensive assistant, is not as a surprise, as he's been a strong recruiter in Florida, specficially the Miami area, and has survived the firings of both Jim Leavitt and Holtz. Woodie has ties to the area, being a former head coach at Palmetto High and Bradenton Bayshore, and has recruited the state - and bay area - for Western Kentucky. Woodie was named 2012 Sun Belt Conference Recruiter of the Year by Scout/Foxsports.com "He's been Taggart's right-hand man for a while now," said Josh Newberg from bulls247.com. "I know Willie trusts him and he has a good lay of the land, is very familiar with the area...he's landed a lot of kids from this area. "You've got to have somebody you can lean on when you start a new job and I think Woodie is that guy for Taggart." Plant High coach Robert Weiner, who has known Woodie since he coached against him while at Jesuit, said his passion and honesty helped him make "en roads" as the area recruiter for WKU. Weiner said Woodie was a reason Panthers receiver Austin Aikens picked WKU. "I think it's a great hire," Weiner said. "For kids in this area to go to Western Kentucky, imagine how good (Woodie) can be when talking about kids from this area staying in this area. He's really been on top of it." Woodie, Taggart and Scott were unavailable for comment.

By the way, I'll be filling in for Greg Auman over the weekend. Feel free to email me any questions or comments (joesmith@tampabay.com).

Developing: It didn't take long for new USF football coach Willie Taggart to start forming his coaching staff.

Taggart announced Thursday that he will retain one member of USF's 2012 coaching staff, as running backs coach Larry Scott will be kept on as an offensive assistant.

One key addition will be Raymond Woodie, who coached with Taggart the last three seasons at Western Kentucky and now be a defensive assistant at USF.

Scott has been on the USF staff since 2006 when he was a graduate assistant, and known for his recruiting. So, however, is Woodie, a former Palmetto High and Bradenton Bayshore High coach who has connections to the Tampa Bay area.

Woodie was instrumental in securing three top recruiting classes at WKU and named the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Recruiter of the Year by Scout/Foxsports.com

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